Vol. 562 No. 4
130 Mr. Cuffe asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he intends to allocate a total allowable catch of 182,000 salmon for 2003 in light of scientific advice available; and the way in which he expects a sufficient brood stock to remain to ensure a similar salmon population in future years. [6231/03]
When I took up office in June last year, I asked the National Salmon Commission to review the effectiveness of the wild salmon and sea trout tagging scheme which was introduced by my Department in 2001 and limited the total allowable commercial catch of salmon for the first time in 2002.
The National Salmon Commission has now completed this comprehensive review and as part of its considered advice, recently recommended that the total allowable commercial catch of salmon for the 2003 season should not exceed 182,000 fish. This represents a 12% cut on the commercial catch in 2002. I understand that the Salmon Commission tendered its recommendation based on the advice of its own Standing Scientific Committee and the management of the Central and Regional Fisheries Boards.
I also understand that the Commission is of the view that we must bring spawning escapement in all districts and catchments up to the level of the conservation limit as soon as possible and within a defined timeframe. The Commission has further recommended that a three-year strategy should be put in place to ensure, through further progressive reductions, that the conservation limits specified by its Standing Scientific Committee should be reached by 2005. I have already indicated publicly my concurrence with this approach.
